Illinois will likely pay close to $2.5 million for a coach

A new coach won't lead the Illini in a bowl game, Thomas said, but it was apparent that he wanted to move aggressively. Illinois will likely pay closer to $2.5 million for a coach than the $1.75 paid to Zook, who will get $2.6 million in a buyout of the two years remaining on his contract.

"We don't want to lose great candidates because we can't pay the going rate," Thomas said.

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